I just bought a new jeep recently, and decided to try off roading to check out the 4wd. As soon as I engaged the 4x4, I heard a terrible clunking/popping noise that seemed to be coming from the front driveshaft or transfer case area. The noise was worse when I turned or when I accelerated, but there was still clunking when I was going straight. There is no noise in 2wd. And for the record, I have never engaged 4x4 while on pavement. Any ideas?

 

Sounds like a dead joint to me. There are 7 u joints in the drive train. Two on the rear shaft, two in the front axle at the knuckles and 3 in the front drive shaft. Check them all and replace any with play in them. If they are all factory joints it might be worth changing all the joints for peace of mind.

 

Take the drive shaft off and try again. If the noise disappear, u ll know what it was.

But if I was you. I would replace all the joints all the same

 

Okay, so you just got this Jeep.

Have you done a safety inspection?

Checked all the fluid levels and condition, and changed/added as needed?

Checked the brakes?

If you can't do it, have a shop do it for you.

Never purchase a used vehicle and just start driving it............

 

Like cruiser said you need to go over everything and service the Jeep before driving. There are quite a few things that could be causing this and more problems if you haven't checked over the whole XJ.

 

Oh yes, it needs everything. Ball joints are busted. I have the cash to fix it up. Needs brakes. I need this vehicle road worthy in the winter. I have a 2014 Dodge Charger SRT8, I'm not driving the charger during the winter months. I do not have CV joints, I believe I have a 242 transfer case. This Jeep will not be drivin until it is road worthy.

 

And also are the U-Joints all the same size?

 

In my opinion I don't think it's your u joints because Cherokees don't have hub lockouts therefor the front drivetrain is always moving its just not "connected" to your transfer case.